Bird-a-thon FAQ

What is Bird-a-thon?

Bird-a-thon is an annual birding competition and peer-to-peer fundraiser benefiting Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries and programs statewide. Due to COVID-19, this year will be the organization's first "Bird-at-home-a-thon" and will be carbon-free, safety-focused, and family-friendly!

How does Bird-a-thon work?

Participants join teams representing different Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and programs. This year, teams will bird from home or a local park to collectively identify as many species of birds in the 24-hour Bird-a-thon period. Participants can also earn points for their team by completing other fun, nature-based activities from their home. Participants raise money for their chosen Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary or program in honor of their participation. People can also be part of a team by birding for fun, completing the nature-based activities, or simply supporting Bird-a-thon from home. These team members are called "Bird-a-thon Boosters" and also raise money for their chosen wildlife sanctuary or program. Money raised by a sanctuary/program team stays with the sanctuary/program.

How do I join a team?

Check out our list of teams by clicking Join a Team at the top of this page. You can also participate as a Bird-a-thon Booster by birding for fun, doing nature-based activities, or simply supporting your favorite Mass Audubon from home. Official birders and Bird-a-thon Boosters fundraise their teams by creating a fundraising page and/or collecting cash and checks.

Do I need to already know how to bird to be a part of Bird-a-thon?

Nope! This year, there isn't a birding competition in Bird-a-thon. Our goal is to identify as many species of birds in the 24-hour Bird-a-thon period as an organization, not as individual teams. If you don't want to bird, there are many nature-based activities you can complete to earn points for your team.

Do I have to bird competitively to be a part of Bird-a-thon?

Nope! "Bird-a-thon Boosters" are team members that bird for fun, do nature-based activities, or simply support Mass Audubon from the comfort of their own home. Boosters fundraise for their team by creating a fundraising page and/or collecting cash and checks.

How do I fundraise?

You can fundraise online and/or offline. To fundraise online, create a fundraising page. To fundraise offline, simply collect checks and cash and keep track of your donors and their amounts. Turn cash, checks, and donor information in to your team captain. If you don’t know who the team captain is for your sanctuary/program contact the Bird-a-thon Coordinator by email or at 781-259-2136.